edema

noun

ede·​ma i-ˈdē-mə 

1

: an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

called also dropsy

2

a

: watery swelling of plant organs or parts

b

: any of various plant diseases characterized by such swellings

Examples of edema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Diabetes Vision Risk Families Should Know About Wayans is now partnering with biotech company Genentech’s All Eyes on DME initiative to raise awareness of diabetic macular edema, a complication that can rob diabetes patients of their sight. —Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026

Cleveland Clinic estimates that about one in 14 people with diabetes develop diabetic macular edema. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026

Cleveland Clinic notes that about one in 14 people with diabetes develop diabetic macular edema. —Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026

Diabetic macular edema, or DME, is a complication of diabetes that can lead to vision loss and is one of the leading causes of new blindness in the United States. —Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek oidēma swelling, from oidein to swell; akin to Armenian aytnu- swell, Old English ātor poison

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for edema

• extrema
• ulema
• cima
• pima
• prima
• rima
• schema
• sema
• sima
• thema
• emphysema
• empyema

Kids Definition

edema

noun

ede·​ma i-ˈdē-mə 

: an abnormal collection of watery fluid in a bodily tissue or cavity

Medical Definition

edema

noun

ede·​ma

variants or chiefly British oedema

i-ˈdē-mə 

plural edemas or chiefly British oedemas also edemata

-mət-ə

or chiefly British oedemata

: an abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity

called also dropsy